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Post-game Reactions

Doc Closes Door on Miami Rumors

Doc Rivers joined WEEI 850 this morning and had a very forthcoming covering everything from the trials and tribulations of Glen Davis to the constant rumors that he is next on Pat Riley’s shopping list if Erik Spolestra was to get the boot. Here’s a few of the key excerpts that should keep Celtics fans sleeping easily at night.

On Drafting Big Baby and Having Him Reach Expectations
I can say I was very involved; I kept yelling “Baby!” because I have kids who play, and know these guys, you know, my oldest son. I actually watched Baby a lot, so I just kept hearing about his feet; Leo Papile was a big guy in Baby’s corner as well, so that was real with me. I usually really try to allow Danny to draft because, you watch it, Danny works harder than anybody I know on the draft. When we’re not, we’re not thinking anybody, but we all liked him. We didn’t know he was going to be this. I do think, I mean he’s a very smart player. He has a great instinct. But you’re right, I do think people do get lost in all the other stuff that comes with Baby. You think about it, a lot of that is all peripheral, a lot of it is off the floor. On the floor he does his job, and then this year he does his job better and better each game.

On The Miami Rumors
No, I really don’t have any thoughts about that. As far as I’m concerned, I’m a Celtic and I plan on being that for a long time, as long as I’m coaching.

On His Coaching Future and Waiting to make a Decision Until 11th Hour
Well I hope not, but I don’t know. I mean, honestly, I can tell you I’ve given it zero thought. I was asked about it a couple of times yesterday, because I don’t know where this thing came from. Other than that, I don’t think about it much at all. Danny and I are as close as you can be, and so I just don’t even think about it. I’m just doing my job, and I’m going to get through my job.

Who is better at their individual talent sealing at this point in their careers, Rondo or Big Baby?
Oh, that’s a good one. I would say probably Baby. Rondo still has a shot that he has to improve, and if he improves it, and it doesn’t have to be a lot, al you have to do is become a consistent elbow jump-shooter, consistent free-thrower. He’d take his game to a level we haven’t seen in a long time.

When Rondo and Baby are both done with their careers, which will be the more apt analogy: Rondo to Cousy or Baby to Charles Barkley?
Wow, I’m going to say Rondo to Cousy. It’s different though because of Rondo’s speed, I mean, Rondo, he’s a different player than Cousy, but let’s just say, Cousy goes down as one of the great Celtics of all time, and I think if Rondo continues to do what he’s doing, he should be in that class, too.

On Miami’s Potential
The stars almost collide, in some ways, to be role players. And instead of being who they are, they’re not worried about getting in each other’s way. And it just takes time for each guy to get their rhythm. You know at some point the shooter’s going to get it, you know they’re going to roll off a long screen and win at some point, and they’re going to be a team that will pass Orlando, Chicago and Atlanta. We’re going to have to deal with it, we know that.

Brian Robb

Brian Robb co-founded CelticsHub in 2009 and is the currently editor-in-chief. He is a producer and reporter at 98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston and also contributes to Boston.com and Bleacher Report among other outlets.

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